ESSEX — Police in Essex say a man apparently killed his 14-year-old son and then himself.

Police said they found the bodies Wednesday in a second-floor apartment on Carmichael Street. They have been identified as Gunnar Schumacher, a freshman at Essex High School, and his father, 49-year-old Ludwig “Sonny” Schumacher.

Ludwig Schumacher was a former Vermont National Guard officer and state Republican campaign official.

Police said he was going through a divorce and that a final relief-from-abuse order was granted to a Christina Schumacher in August. Police said they had not received any reports of domestic assault or arrests involving Ludwig Schumacher.

Police Chief Brad LaRose said officers initially responded to the apartment for a report of a man’s suicide by hanging.